daycare experience

[OntarioSheltie]

I think that a really awesome daycare is a great idea...but a mediocre run of the mill daycare is a bad idea.

If you can find a place that works hard to match dogs' personalities, so that dogs are always playing with others that they feel comfortable with, then I say go for it.

I just know that there are many places, while great for some, may not be great for dogs that are sensitive, shy or just not as boisterous as other dogs.

I agree with this 100%.

At obedience training with Toby last night our trainer was talking about Doggy Daycare. She said that everyone jumps to the conclusion that daycare is much better than being home because the dogs get to play all day, which isn't always the case.

The problem with that is that when they play all day instead of having someone working with them, they not only risk physical and emotional injury from other dogs if no one is paying attention to them, but they also develop bad habits from other dogs and from no one being there to reinforce their training.

My trainer said she's been seeing a substantial rise in aggressive dogs who had bad encounters at doggy daycares and dog parks and she advises to be VERY selective with daycares and the dogs that are at the dog park when you're considering entering.

 

[Snwong]

I agree with this 100%.

At obedience training with Toby last night our trainer was talking about Doggy Daycare. She said that everyone jumps to the conclusion that daycare is much better than being home because the dogs get to play all day, which isn't always the case.

The problem with that is that when they play all day instead of having someone working with them, they not only risk physical and emotional injury from other dogs if no one is paying attention to them, but they also develop bad habits from other dogs and from no one being there to reinforce their training.

My trainer said she's been seeing a substantial rise in aggressive dogs who had bad encounters at doggy daycares and dog parks and she advises to be VERY selective with daycares and the dogs that are at the dog park when you're considering entering.

I totally agree too, that's one of my concern about develop bad habits or bad experience. that's why I want to know more story from you guys as a reference too.

In summer time I've bring Roy b to dog park once a week, the dog park is far away from home and i have to drive for a while to get there, I always observe the kind of dog in there. There are few times I don't even let him get in because I'm afraid he will have bad experience.

I will go visit a daycare this weekend, hope I can find a good one for him.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

This seems like a really good article, lots of good points to consider,although I don't agree with the last statement (even though I don't discriminate against certain breeds).

http://www.petwellbeing.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-perfect-doggie-day-care

 

[k9kreationz]

I agree with this 100%.

At obedience training with Toby last night our trainer was talking about Doggy Daycare. She said that everyone jumps to the conclusion that daycare is much better than being home because the dogs get to play all day, which isn't always the case.

The problem with that is that when they play all day instead of having someone working with them, they not only risk physical and emotional injury from other dogs if no one is paying attention to them, but they also develop bad habits from other dogs and from no one being there to reinforce their training.

My trainer said she's been seeing a substantial rise in aggressive dogs who had bad encounters at doggy daycares and dog parks and she advises to be VERY selective with daycares and the dogs that are at the dog park when you're considering entering.

Very true. I know with Koji, seriously, his aggressive behavior (or fear behavior or whatever you want to call it) didn't come out until he was going to daycare consistently. And yes, it's only against big dogs (as he's in the big dog room). Now, I AM told that his behavior isn't aggressive and that it's only "a very inappropriate attempt at asking to play" and I can see that in his body language, but its still very embarrassing and such bad manners. Until consistent daycare, we never had that issue. Oh, and this is an on-leash issue. Off-leash, he knows how to approach a dog correctly. Ugh!

But on the flip side, Koji is also a lot more social and less afraid of things, because of daycare.

Just curious, what "bad habits" have dogs picked up in daycare? I've never heard of this happening.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

Very true. I know with Koji, seriously, his aggressive behavior (or fear behavior or whatever you want to call it) didn't come out until he was going to daycare consistently. And yes, it's only against big dogs (as he's in the big dog room). Now, I AM told that his behavior isn't aggressive and that it's only "a very inappropriate attempt at asking to play" and I can see that in his body language, but its still very embarrassing and such bad manners. Until consistent daycare, we never had that issue. Oh, and this is an on-leash issue. Off-leash, he knows how to approach a dog correctly. Ugh!

But on the flip side, Koji is also a lot more social and less afraid of things, because of daycare.

Just curious, what "bad habits" have dogs picked up in daycare? I've never heard of this happening.

From what I'm told, any behavior your dog sees another dog do, humping, digging, barking for attention, jumping up on people, spinning, eating poop, etc.

 

[k9kreationz]

From what I'm told, any behavior your dog sees another dog do, humping, digging, barking for attention, jumping up on people, spinning, eating poop, etc.

Oh. In that case, I feel sorry for everyone else's dogs. However, from what I'm told, most dogs don't do those sorts of thing at my daycare, hmm...maybe it's the staff? Even Koji, they are surprised when I tell them the naughty things he does or when they seem him do it outside of daycare, on lead, or with me. Obviously, he's naughty only with me, lol. Figures.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

Oh. In that case, I feel sorry for everyone else's dogs. However, from what I'm told, most dogs don't do those sorts of thing at my daycare, hmm...maybe it's the staff? Even Koji, they are surprised when I tell them the naughty things he does or when they seem him do it outside of daycare, on lead, or with me. Obviously, he's naughty only with me, lol. Figures.

Like I said, its what I heard, I've personally had no experience with doggie daycare but have concerns about it.

This probably depends on the day care and how much human interaction and stimulation the dogs get during the day, as well as the daycare's screening and the individual dogs in the groups.

 

[DPSheltie]

Like I said, its what I heard, I've personally had no experience with doggie daycare but have concerns about it.

This probably depends on the day care and how much human interaction and stimulation the dogs get during the day, as well as the daycare's screening and the individual dogs in the groups.

I agree. Riley has gone to daycare since he was 4 months old. The daycare was the same location as his puppy class, so he met some of the dogs (puppies) that also did daycare before we went. I know at his daycare poor behavior is discouraged. Any humping, too rough play, excessive barking, etc earns that dog a time out. Everything is 100% adult supervised and they work on sits and leash walking also. I know that any aggressive dogs are not allowed and if they show agression they are banned and referred to private training. They also do not allow bully breeds (owner says they are sweet and great with people but they don't always do well in daycare situations). Oh, and Riley comes home brushed out and dry. Actually he gets lots of snuggles from two of the workers who LOVE him everytime they are there too!! Oh course we drive 35 min to get there (but it is only 10 min from hubby's work)

That being said, when we were looking I saw a horrible daycare. It was in a large pet store with puppies for sale...the whole place smelled BAD and I did not see anyone supervising the actual dogs playing, just hanging around the front store eating/talking.

 

[Paeoniaa]

From what I'm told, any behavior your dog sees another dog do, humping, digging, barking for attention, jumping up on people, spinning, eating poop, etc.

Marlowe's daycare discourages all of the above but, unfortunately, he has picked up poop eating recently One of his best friends has also just started and we think they are egging each other on. He has done it 3 times in the past month and the staff have tried different things to stop him but, so far, to no avail once he has got it. They do do a good job of picking it up promptly. I don't know if he would have started doing this without daycare but daycare certainly provides a constant supply.

As gross as I find this new habit, I won't withdraw him from daycare because of it. I believe the physical and social benefits outweigh this negative.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I agree. Riley has gone to daycare since he was 4 months old. The daycare was the same location as his puppy class, so he met some of the dogs (puppies) that also did daycare before we went. I know at his daycare poor behavior is discouraged. Any humping, too rough play, excessive barking, etc earns that dog a time out. Everything is 100% adult supervised and they work on sits and leash walking also. I know that any aggressive dogs are not allowed and if they show agression they are banned and referred to private training. They also do not allow bully breeds (owner says they are sweet and great with people but they don't always do well in daycare situations). Oh, and Riley comes home brushed out and dry. Actually he gets lots of snuggles from two of the workers who LOVE him everytime they are there too!! Oh course we drive 35 min to get there (but it is only 10 min from hubby's work)

That being said, when we were looking I saw a horrible daycare. It was in a large pet store with puppies for sale...the whole place smelled BAD and I did not see anyone supervising the actual dogs playing, just hanging around the front store eating/talking.

Yours sounds like a great daycare, thats great that you have one in your area. If only they could all be like that.